NORTHERN PROVINCE

MUSANZE — Former sex workers from five districts across the country have found a new life, vowing to lead a campaign against Aids and prostitution.

In their initial campaign the former prostitutes on Tuesday staged competitions at Musanze district stadium. They recited poems, sang and performed plays with a message evoking the public to fight prostitution and Aids.

The women now joined in associations, urged other sex workers and their clients to have spiritual transformation and turn their backs on the streets for other productive work.

Organised by PSI-Rwanda, they attracted former prostitutes from eight cooperative societies of Kicukiro, Rwamagana, Muhanga, Gasabo and Musanze districts. All participants were given  clothes and  mattress.

But the overall best performing group was awarded Frw100,000 while the second received Frw80,000. Other participants in the third and fourth positions got Frw50,000 and Frw30,000 respectively.

The PSI district coordinator, J D Die Mukunzi, asked the groups to embrace voluntary counselling and testing, use antiretroviral drugs for those living with the virus and engage in income generating activities.

Ms Josée Nyirabagande, 25, and living with HIV recalled that it was peer influence that led her to sex trade. She says she has two children without a father.

She regretfully ponders the past, but says with antiretroviral drugs, she is determined to live positively by engaging in productive activities of making arts and crafts and do part time work with PSI. 

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